{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-203.2_3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-203.2_3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-203.2_3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-203.2_3.html"}],"law_id":61581,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61581,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:3","catch_line":"Policy of the Commonwealth regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities; responsibilities of state agencies; report","history":"2017, cc. 358, 371; 2020, c. 50.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, “state agency” means any agency, institution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of state government in the executive branch.B\n\nIt shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to promote and increase the employment of individuals with disabilities directly employed at all levels and occupations by state agencies, institutions, boards, and authorities of the Commonwealth. To assist in achieving this policy, it shall be the goal of the Commonwealth to increase by five percent the level of employment of individuals with disabilities by the state by fiscal year 2023. The Secretary shall coordinate and lead efforts to achieve the goals of the Commonwealth established by this section.C\n\nTo further this goal, the Commonwealth shall:1\n\nUse available hiring authorities, consistent with statutes, regulations, and prior executive orders;2\n\nIncrease efforts to accommodate individuals with disabilities within state government employment by increasing the retention and return to work of individuals with disabilities;3\n\nExpand existing efforts for the recruitment, accommodation, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities for positions available in state government;4\n\nDesignate senior-level staff within each state agency to be responsible for increasing the employment of individuals with disabilities within the state agency; and5\n\nRequire state agencies to prepare a plan to increase employment opportunities at the agencies for individuals with disabilities.D\n\nEach state agency shall submit a plan to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to the Secretary no later than December 31, 2017, and each July 1 thereafter. The Secretary shall (i) establish guidelines regarding the development and content of state agency plans and (ii) establish a reporting system for tracking and reporting the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth established by this section.E\n\nAll state agencies shall examine existing policies relating to the employment of individuals with disabilities, including a review of recruitment efforts, interviewing criteria, testing procedures, and resources to accommodate applicants and workers with disabilities.F\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to require (i) the creation of new positions or the changing of existing qualification standards for any position or (ii) any state employee or applicant for state employment to disclose his disability status involuntarily.G\n\nThe Secretary, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resource Management, shall develop an annual report on the number of individuals with disabilities directly employed by the state agencies. The information shall be included in the annual demographic report of the Department of Human Resource Management.H\n\nThe Secretary shall report on the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by September 1 of each year.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":224853,"text":"As used in this section, “state agency” means any agency, institution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of state government in the executive branch.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":224854,"text":"It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to promote and increase the employment of individuals with disabilities directly employed at all levels and occupations by state agencies, institutions, boards, and authorities of the Commonwealth. To assist in achieving this policy, it shall be the goal of the Commonwealth to increase by five percent the level of employment of individuals with disabilities by the state by fiscal year 2023. The Secretary shall coordinate and lead efforts to achieve the goals of the Commonwealth established by this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":224855,"text":"To further this goal, the Commonwealth shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":224856,"text":"Use available hiring authorities, consistent with statutes, regulations, and prior executive orders;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":224857,"text":"Increase efforts to accommodate individuals with disabilities within state government employment by increasing the retention and return to work of individuals with disabilities;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":224858,"text":"Expand existing efforts for the recruitment, accommodation, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities for positions available in state government;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":224859,"text":"Designate senior-level staff within each state agency to be responsible for increasing the employment of individuals with disabilities within the state agency; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"7":{"id":224860,"text":"Require state agencies to prepare a plan to increase employment opportunities at the agencies for individuals with disabilities.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"D"},"8":{"id":224861,"text":"Each state agency shall submit a plan to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to the Secretary no later than December 31, 2017, and each July 1 thereafter. The Secretary shall (i) establish guidelines regarding the development and content of state agency plans and (ii) establish a reporting system for tracking and reporting the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth established by this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"E"},"9":{"id":224862,"text":"All state agencies shall examine existing policies relating to the employment of individuals with disabilities, including a review of recruitment efforts, interviewing criteria, testing procedures, and resources to accommodate applicants and workers with disabilities.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":224863,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to require (i) the creation of new positions or the changing of existing qualification standards for any position or (ii) any state employee or applicant for state employment to disclose his disability status involuntarily.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"11":{"id":224864,"text":"The Secretary, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resource Management, shall develop an annual report on the number of individuals with disabilities directly employed by the state agencies. The information shall be included in the annual demographic report of the Department of Human Resource Management.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"12":{"id":224865,"text":"The Secretary shall report on the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by September 1 of each year.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14737,"edition_id":1,"name":"Secretary of Administration","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13579,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:37","permalink":{"id":171679,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14737,"identifier":"2","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13579,"edition_id":1,"name":"Governor's Secretaries","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13132,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:18","permalink":{"id":171625,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13579,"identifier":"2","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13132,"edition_id":1,"name":"Office of the Governor","identifier":"A","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":171457,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13132,"identifier":"A","token":"2.2\/I\/A","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56448,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203","catch_line":"Position established; agencies for which responsible","url":"\/2.2-203\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203","metadata":false},{"id":62662,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.1","catch_line":"Secretary to establish telecommuting policy; duties","url":"\/2.2-203.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.1","metadata":false},{"id":73542,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-203.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2","metadata":false},{"id":79514,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:1","catch_line":"Secretary to report state job elimination due to privatization","url":"\/2.2-203.2_1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":66319,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:2","catch_line":"Promotion of alternative dispute resolution procedures","url":"\/2.2-203.2_2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":61581,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:3","catch_line":"Policy of the Commonwealth regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities; responsibilities of state agencies; report","url":"\/2.2-203.2_3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_3","metadata":false},{"id":56476,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:4","catch_line":"Chief Data Officer; created; report","url":"\/2.2-203.2_4\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_4","metadata":false},{"id":62306,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:5","catch_line":"Additional duties of the Secretary; technology programs","url":"\/2.2-203.2_5\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66319,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:2","catch_line":"Promotion of alternative dispute resolution procedures","url":"\/2.2-203.2_2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56476,"structure_id":14737,"section_number":"2.2-203.2:4","catch_line":"Chief Data Officer; created; report","url":"\/2.2-203.2_4\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-203.2:3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 358<\/a> and 371<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2020, chapter 50<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64974,"section_number":"2.2-1213","catch_line":"Alternative application for employment for persons with a disability; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1213\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":171701,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61581,"identifier":"2.2-203.2:3","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_3","url":"\/2.2-203.2_3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-203.2_3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/2\/2\/2.2-203.2_3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Policy of the Commonwealth regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities; responsibilities of state agencies; report","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-203.2:3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, “state agency<\/span>” means any agency, institution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of state government in the executive branch. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to promote and increase the employment of individuals with disabilities directly employed at all levels and occupations by state agencies, institutions, boards, and authorities of the Commonwealth. To assist in achieving this policy, it shall be the goal of the Commonwealth to increase by five percent the level of employment of individuals with disabilities by the state by fiscal year 2023. The Secretary shall coordinate and lead efforts to achieve the goals of the Commonwealth established by this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> To further this goal, the Commonwealth shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Use available hiring authorities, consistent with statutes<\/span>, regulations, and prior executive orders<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Increase efforts to accommodate individuals with disabilities within state government employment by increasing the retention and return to work of individuals with disabilities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Expand existing efforts for the recruitment, accommodation, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities for positions available in state government; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Designate senior-level staff within each state agency<\/span> to be responsible for increasing the employment of individuals with disabilities within the state agency<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Require state agencies to prepare a plan to increase employment opportunities at the agencies for individuals with disabilities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Each state agency<\/span> shall submit a plan to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to the Secretary no later than December 31, 2017, and each July 1 thereafter. The Secretary shall (i) establish guidelines regarding the development and content of state agency<\/span> plans and (ii) establish a reporting system for tracking and reporting the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth established by this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> All state agencies shall examine existing policies relating to the employment of individuals with disabilities, including a review of recruitment efforts, interviewing criteria, testing procedures, and resources to accommodate applicants and workers with disabilities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to require (i) the creation of new positions or the changing of existing qualification standards for any position or (ii) any state employee or applicant for state employment to disclose his disability status involuntarily. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The Secretary, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resource Management, shall develop an annual report on the number of individuals with disabilities directly employed by the state agencies. The information shall be included in the annual demographic report of the Department of Human Resource Management. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> The Secretary shall report on the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by September 1 of each year. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOLICY OF THE COMMONWEALTH REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH\nDISABILITIES; RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE AGENCIES; REPORT (\u00a7 2.2-203.2:3)\n\nA. As used in this section, “state agency” means any agency,\ninstitution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of state\ngovernment in the executive branch.\n\nB. It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to promote and increase the\nemployment of individuals with disabilities directly employed at all levels and\noccupations by state agencies, institutions, boards, and authorities of the\nCommonwealth. To assist in achieving this policy, it shall be the goal of the\nCommonwealth to increase by five percent the level of employment of individuals\nwith disabilities by the state by fiscal year 2023. The Secretary shall\ncoordinate and lead efforts to achieve the goals of the Commonwealth established\nby this section.\n\nC. To further this goal, the Commonwealth shall:\n\n 1. Use available hiring authorities, consistent with statutes, regulations,\n and prior executive orders;\n\n 2. Increase efforts to accommodate individuals with disabilities within state\n government employment by increasing the retention and return to work of\n individuals with disabilities;\n\n 3. Expand existing efforts for the recruitment, accommodation, retention, and\n advancement of individuals with disabilities for positions available in state\n government;\n\n 4. Designate senior-level staff within each state agency to be responsible for\n increasing the employment of individuals with disabilities within the state\n agency; and\n\n 5. Require state agencies to prepare a plan to increase employment\n opportunities at the agencies for individuals with disabilities.\n\nD. Each state agency shall submit a plan to increase employment opportunities\nfor individuals with disabilities to the Secretary no later than December 31,\n2017, and each July 1 thereafter. The Secretary shall (i) establish guidelines\nregarding the development and content of state agency plans and (ii) establish a\nreporting system for tracking and reporting the progress of state agencies\ntoward meeting the employment goals of the Commonwealth established by this\nsection.\n\nE. All state agencies shall examine existing policies relating to the employment\nof individuals with disabilities, including a review of recruitment efforts,\ninterviewing criteria, testing procedures, and resources to accommodate\napplicants and workers with disabilities.\n\nF. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require (i) the creation of new\npositions or the changing of existing qualification standards for any position\nor (ii) any state employee or applicant for state employment to disclose his\ndisability status involuntarily.\n\nG. The Secretary, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resource\nManagement, shall develop an annual report on the number of individuals with\ndisabilities directly employed by the state agencies. The information shall be\nincluded in the annual demographic report of the Department of Human Resource\nManagement.\n\nH. The Secretary shall report on the progress of state agencies toward meeting\nthe employment goals of the Commonwealth to the Governor and the Chairmen of the\nHouse Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and\nAppropriations by September 1 of each year.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, cc. 358, 371; 2020, c. 50.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}